Biology AQA 3.1.5 The Biological basis of Heart Disease

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Atheroma

1. Cholesterol and other lipids collect on the inside of the coronary artery. This deposit is called an atheroma and it narrows the lumen restricting the blood flow.

2. The atheroma is then able to collect minerals and harden to form a plague

3. The plaque causes the wall of the artery to weaken, so blood pressure causes swelling (something called an aneurism), the aneurism could burst and cause blood loss and possible death

4. The plague can also cause a blood clot (thrombosis) and this blocks the blood stream and can cause lack of oxygen to the heart.

5. Due to lack of oxygen the heart (which is a muscle) cells are unable to respire and this leads to the cause of myocardial infraction (also known as a heart attack)

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Aneurysm

Coronary Thrombosis

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RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HEART DISEASE

Diet

Blood pressure

cholesterol

cigarette smoking

blood

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